Combined step-ladder and ironing-board



(No Model.)

( G. WALTER.

COMBINED STEP LADDER AND IRONING BOARD. No. 643,565. Patented July-'30, 1895.

. lllllllll g II: um i I i I l QM 24,65 swam Mela ATTORNEY.

- UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES WALTER, OF LOCUST CORNER, OHIO.

COMBINED S TEP-LADDER AND IRONlNG-BOARD.

SZPEGIFIGATION forming part of Letters I'atent No. 543,565, dated July 30, 1895.

Application filed January 17, 1894. Serial No. 497,170. (No model.) 1

To all whom, it may concern: 7

Be it known that I, CHARLES WALTER, re-

' siding at Locust Corner, in the county of Clermont and State of Ohio, have invented a new and Improved Combined Step-Ladder and Ironing-Board, of which the following is a specification.

My invention has for its object to provide a simple and inexpensive combined step-ladder and ironing-board, which can be easily and then particularly pointed out in the claims, reference being had to the accompanylng drawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of ,my improvements, illustrating the same as arranged for use as an ironing-board. Fig. 2 is a 1on gitudinal section of the upper portion of the ironing-board. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal vertical section of the several parts adjusted for use as a step-ladder, the back-stay or ironingboard proper being shown in its folded position in dotted lines. Fig. 4 is a detail side view of a modified construction, hereinafter referred to; and Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5 5, Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a detail sectional view taken on the line6 6, Fig. 1.

My improved combined ironing-board and step-ladder comprises astrut-frame composed of a pair of outer legs A A, in practice pref- ,/erab1y five feet long, the ends of which are cut diagonally to form rest portions a a, the

upper ones a forming horizontal bearings for a transverse member B, which, when the parts are adj usted for use as an ironing-board,

forms the fiat-iron support, as shown in Fig.

1, and at such end on their rear faces the legs have brackets O C, the upperedges of which are disposed at a slightly-acute angle to such rear faces and form supports for a transverse member D, which serves as the top of the step-ladder when the parts are adjusted to the position shown in Fig. 3.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, it will be noticed that at a point near the upper end the legs A have bearing-apas shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3, when it is desired to fold the parts compactly together for shipping or removal, such strip also serving as a lock or stay member for a purpose presently explained.

G indicates an inner pair of legs which in practice are about three feet in length and v are movable between the longer legs A and adapted to fold up between them when the parts are used as a step-ladder. The ends of the legs G are also cut diagonal to form bearing members 9 g, the upper one of which forms the outer support for the board F when the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 1, I

and such upper ends are connected by a transverse piece H, which forms a bearing member adapted to engage a stop Ion the under face of the board F, as most clearly shown in Fig. 2. I

So far as described it willbe observed that by providing a stop-piece on the under face of the board F and forming the upper ends of the legs with bearing portions g g, a solid and substantial brace is provided for the ironing-board, and the strut-legs A and G held from spreading beyond a predetermined point.

Near the lowerend the legs A are connected by a transverse rung J, the lower ends of the legs G being also connected by a rung J, such rungs and the transverse pivot-rod J which pivotally connects the legs A and G, as well as the transverse strip E, forming ladderrungs when the parts are adjusted in the position shown in Fig. 3.

It will be noticed by reference to said Fig.

3 that the short. legs G are adapted to fold the side legs A as they swing in the direction indicated by the arrow 1, by gravity. It. will also be observed that the strip E serves as a stop for holding the legs G flush, as stated, and as the piece II presses against the strip E at a point below its axis, it is manifest that asa person steps on the rung J connected to the legs G G, the pressure which would be in the direction indicated by arrow 1 would serve to more securely and rigidly hold the board or back-stayF in place, and thereby dispense with the necessity of employing a lock-rod, such as is usually employed to hold the ladder-strut members from spreading, the spreading of the legs in the construction shown being further avoided by forming the board with lateral shoulders f, (see Figs. 1 and 6,) which engage the front face of the legs A A, as shown.

lVhile for the sake of simplicity and economy in construction I prefer to make the board F non-detachable from the legs, as shown in Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive, I sometimes connect such board F detachably with such legs A, whereby it can be quickly removed and used independently from the other parts, in the ordinary manner. For this purpose the pivotal bearings for the board are made in the nature of horizontal slots (3*, formed in the said legs A, which register with similar slots in metal plates K formed with socket 1 portions 7c, in which are held spring-actuated When the latter con- 1 struction is used, the pintles on the member lock-pins k, as shown.

E are made somewhat longer to fit the slots in the side plates K. slots they are held in place by the lock-pins 7c. When it is desired to detach the board F it is only necessary to lift the pins and pull out the board F with the strip E.

From the foregoing description, taken in 1 When fitted in such hold articles are combined in one, which in itself is of a compact nature, easily manipulated, and can be manufactured at a cost as low as any ordinary folding step-ladder.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. An improved combined step ladder and ironing board, comprising a pair of long supporting members A, A, a board F pivoted at one end between the legs A and having at such end a transverse stri p E, such board forming the back brace when the device is used as a step ladder, and a short pair of legs or brace members G G pivoted between the legs A A to fold flush therewith and a cross strip H secured to one end of such legs, such strip H, the strip E and legs G being arranged relatively so that when the said legs G G are folded between the legs A A the said strip 11 will engage the strip E and force the board F inward toward the legs A A, and form a locking means to prevent the legs and the board F from spreading as pressure is applied to the lower rung J of the leg sec tion G, substantially as and for the purpose shown and described.

2. The combination withthe long leg members A, having horizontally disposedslots O", the plates K, secured thereto having corresponding slots, and provided with socket portions above and below the slots, the spring pressed keeper bolts 7r)- movable in the sock els, and the short supporting legs, of the board F having a cross piece E provided with trunnions 6 adapted to be fitted in the slots of the legs A, and plates K, and a stop member on the board to engage the short legs, all arranged substantially as shown and described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES WALTER.

Witnesses:

RAY CLARK, LIZZIE SHORT. 

